Firebrand

critic Reviews

, 57% Rotten Tomatometer Score
  • Divorced from the historical record with little to show for it, Firebrand is a period piece whose revisionist aims are at odds with its stultifying approach.
  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Nicola AustinEmpire Magazine
    Alicia Vikander gives a graceful performance and the lavish period production shines, but unfortunately this is more fizzle-out than fire-starter.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Wendy IdeObserver (UK)
    It’s that rarest of releases: a picture that would benefit immensely from being far more lurid and overblown. It’s no coincidence that the element that works best -- Law’s gloriously monstrous Henry.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Clarisse LoughreyIndependent (UK)
    Firebrand exceeds in capturing the way mundanity can slip so easily into terror; how a feast or a jest... can descend into hell at the turn of one man’s emotions.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Danny LeighFinancial Times
    Catherine is an ethical Machiavel, wrangling the king to noble ends. But the movie is vague about what those are, and oddly brisk about her groundbreaking role as a published woman writer.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    David SextonNew Statesman
    Vikander gives her best performance since Ex Machina. She looks naturally so reserved and gentle, but this flawless, serene countenance masks great strength and resolve.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Deborah RossThe Spectator
    It doesn’t play fast and loose with the facts so much as throw them out the window. This can work, if it’s for a good reason, but this, alas, never seems to find that reason.
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Paula Arantzazu RuizCinemanía (Spain)
    Works as an entertaining episode of the saga. [Full review in Spanish]
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Lalo OrtegaCine Premiere
    This adaptation of Elizabeth Fremantle's The Queen's Game provides a rare perspective from Catherine Parr. [Full review in Spanish]
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  • , Fresh Tomatometer Score
    Rich ClineShadows on the Wall
    While the narrative pacing flags in the dense second half, there's plenty of intrigue to hold the interest.
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  • , Rotten Tomatometer Score
    Victoria LuxfordCity AM
    a ho-hum Game of Thrones clone that doesn’t seem to serve a purpose.
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